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Adapted soccer: Thunderbolts go to 8-0 with 16-1 victory

Senior Bryce Smith of the Thunderbolts shoots at the St. Paul Humboldt goal in the second half. John Molene / contributor1 / 4

South Washington County goalie Tyler Tinnucci kicks away an attempt in the second half. John Molene / contributor
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Katrina Skoog of the Thunderbolts gets a high five from head coach John Culbertson. John Molene / contributor3 / 4

Leah Huntley of the Thunderbolts races to the ball in the front court in the second half. John Molene / contributor4 / 4

South Washington County Thunderbolts continued their roll through the adapted soccer division, this time by a 16-1 count.

The Thunderbolts dominated visiting St. Paul Humboldt Oct. 24 in their next-to-last game of the regular season.

The Thunderbolts improved to 8-0 in the CI South standings with the win, a half-game ahead of Chanhassen/Chaska/Prior Lake/Shakopee for the league lead.

"I couldn't be more proud of everybody getting in and participating," said Thunderbolts head coach John Culbertson. "It's the only way to learn, is to play."

South Washington County has outscored the competition 100-11 in eight league games.

Chanhassen has been even more dominant than the Thunderbolts, outscoring the competition 101-2 so far. That's the kind of competition the Thunderbolts are likely to face in the state tournament. The two teams don't meet during the regular season.

South Washington County won the state adapted soccer title in 2014. But just three players from that squad are still on the Thunderbolts, and only senior Bryce Smith played in those games.

"So we have a lot of kids who don't know what the state tournament is about, and how to win," Culbertson said. "So hopefully we can translate some old leadership. If we can play good solid defense, be aggressive and play as a team anything can happen."

St. Paul Humboldt fell to 1-4.

The Thunderbolts wrapped up the regular season Monday at East Ridge with a game against St. Paul Johnson (1-3-1), starting at 4:30 p.m. It will be senior night for four Thunderbolts forward Smith, defender Leah Huntley, forward Ryan Schmidt and defender Nick Jones.